Tips for Protecting Your Granite From Cracks and Sagging – There Is a Simple Solution

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Granite and other stones or heavy surfaces will crack and sag if not protected from doing so.

You may think that a surface like granite is strong and does not need protection from cracks or sagging, but you will find that if not protected properly you will need a very expensive repair of replacement of your granite.

Granite is the choice of countertops, shelving, bathroom sink counters and more in interior and exterior use today. It is a beautiful natural stone and can provide long lasting enjoyment and appreciation.

If you are installing granite that has an overhang on your kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor counter, you will need, or your granite installer will need, to assess or determine if the overhang needs underneath support to protect your granite from cracks of sagging.

Granite can become cracked or sag through just the sheer weight of the overhanging granite. Cracking or sagging can also happen through weight applied to the surface. For instance, if you have a granite bar overhang and people are sitting at the bar, and leaning on it with elbows; you are causing stress on the granite surface. Some people think that granite can carry their weight and will sit on the granite overhang. Children love to hang on things and swing on things, such as, countertops. These are things that can present a problem for your granite or other heavy counter surfaces.

Yes, granite is strong, hard and beautiful, and will provide long lasting beauty and enjoyment, but at the same time when suspended beyond a support surface it will need a support brace in the way of angle brackets, braces, or corbels.

Determined by your granite installer you will learn if you need support, and if you do, what kind of support or bracing is required for your particular situation.

There are several types of braces or brackets that will support a suspending surface. They are referred to as angle support brackets or corbels. Angle support brackets or corbels come in several materials, such as, plastic, wood, thin metal, cast iron, and heavy duty wrought iron along with other materials.

With a heavy surface you are going to want to get the best support available. You do not want to settle for inferior material, such as plastic, cast iron, or a thin metal. Wood is available for interior use, but over time will deteriorate through the elements and weather in outdoor conditions. Heavy duty wrought iron is a good choice for interior use and is ideal for outdoor use in support of countertops, pergolas, arbors or other bracing needs.

You will find that wrought iron angle support brackets or iron corbels, as some refer to them, come in several sizes and styles that will actually accent your surface and enhance through their design style.

It is important to determine the size and quantity of the angle support bracket needed, for correct coverage and support. This is established through the depth of the surface and the length of the surface. It is best to bring the depth of the bracket out to within 2- 3″ of the depth of the granite or counter surface. For the quantity of brackets, it is determined by the length and spacing of the brackets. Spacing the brackets 24″ – 30″ apart is a general rule. Again, the installer or professional can make this determination for you. Sometimes installers will lay a sheet of plywood under the granite and sometimes they will not. This can also have a bearing on the size and spacing of the brackets.

With all of this information in mind, you will find several great websites with some great heavy duty support products for home improvement and commercial use of granite or other heavy surfaces. Do some research and shop for the best quality, in granite support, and you will enjoy your granite, without worry or concern for years to come.

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